Search This Blog

Thursday, March 9, 2017

First Graders learned about Impressionism by studying the artist Claude Monet. We viewed pictures of his home and gardens in order to understand where the inspiration for his art came from. Students then created their own impressionistic artworks using short marks with chalk pastels to imitate the brush marks in an impressionist artwork. We also collaged on some lily pads. Finally, We read the story Once Upon a Lilypad about a couple of frogs living in Monet's Garden. Students used model magic to sculpt their own frog to add to their art. Beautiful job first graders!!

Joseph Albers was an artist who liked to explore how colors interact with each other. He noticed that red looked different when placed next to green than it did when surrounded by violet. He created many painting of squares within squares to show what he learned about the interaction of color.
Second graders explored color as well. However, instead of using the square we painted circles within circles. Once our circles were complete we veered away from Joseph Albers and added a variety of patterns to each ring of color. These paintings will also be used for our next project...stay tuned!

The Garfield celebrated Dr Seuss' birthday with a friendly competition. Teachers were asked to decorate their door in the style of Seuss. On Read Across America Day students toured the building to see all of our creations and voted for their favorite. The winning teacher recieved a gift certificate to use for classroom supplies. I absolutely LOVED seeing everyone get into the creative spirit. What a great idea!!
Here was my door:

About Me

I am the elementary art teacher at the Garfield School- teaching grades pre-K-5. I graduated from Tufts/The School of the Museum of Fine Arts with a BA in Anthropology and BFA in Fine Art. I also received my Masters from the same schools! I love art and I'm excited to share what I know with my students!!

Check out some art for FREE!!

Most museum host a free night -so there's no excuse not to go and check out some great art!!!!

*The Musum of Fine Arts in Boston is free every Wednesday after 4pm and they are open until 9:45!

*The Institute of Contemporary Art is free every Thursday from 5-9pm. It is also FREE for families (up to 2 adults accompanied by children 12 and under) on the last Saturday of each month with the exception of December.In addition children under 17 are always free!

*The Peabody Essex Museum offers free admission to children 16 and under

*The Gardner museum doesn't offer a free night but they do offer some interesting discounts...check out their page at gardnermuseum.org - look under planning a visit for discount options- including free admission for life if your name is Isabella!

*The Decordova is a great museum with an amazing outdoor sculpture garden--perfect for a visit in the warmer months. Active Duty Military Personnel and their families receive free admission and they offer Free First Wednesdays: Non-group visitors receive free admission on the first Wednesday of the month.